Discovering Dwejra: Fairytales, Fishing Boats & a €5 Adventure!

How does hopping on a bus to a secretish lagoon adventure sound?

Well, let me tell you about a gem of an experience: a traditional fishing boat ride—through Dwejra’s beautiful 80-metre natural canyon!

Once upon a time  in San Lawrenz on the Mediterranean island of Gozo, this stunning lagoon—Dwejra started out as a massive sea cave. Until it collapsed over millennia… 

forming Dwejra Inland Sea or Il-Qawra as it’s known in Maltese.

At first, I thought of Dwejra as a diver’s paradise (it’s actually one of the best diving spots in Europe and close to the equally impressive Blue Hole).

But it turns out there’s way more to see here than “just” marine life. For instance, the area around Dwejra dates back thousands of years—7,000 to be exact.

Although hotly debated by geologists, the area suggests serious prehistoric activity.

For example, you can spot cart ruts etched into the limestone rocks.

But were they used for transportation or a ritual?

The truth is, nobody knows, and that just adds to the mystery.

Oh, and Dwejra also has a fishing past.

Though not quite a traditional fishing hub like that of Marsaxlokk, the Inland Sea was a launchpad for fishermen into the open Mediterranean waters to reel in a hefty catch.

Nowadays, these fishermen double up as tour guides, and this is how I experienced my very first luzzu ride!

And before you ask: yes, you can (and absolutely must) take a magical boat ride from Dwejra Inland Sea.

It only costs €5 and, like I said, you go out with one of the local fisherman-turned-tour-guides, so you’re in safe hands.

I don’t want to spoil all the magic for you, but think: gliding along shallow marbled-green crystal-clear waters, gigantic rock formations towering all around you, incredible coral reefs, and a natural tunnel made out of limestone that leads into the Mediterranean Sea.

Here, the seabed plunges 40 metres, revealing a gorgeous aquatic world.

It’s one of those ‘you gotta see it to believe it’ moments.

And do you remember the iconic Azure Window?

That was here, too. Until it collapsed back in 2017.

But even without it, Dwejra still feels like a fairytale.

From the pebbly-bayed beach to the colourful boathouses and the rugged cliff faces—it’s no wonder HBO chose to film Game of Thrones here.

For photographers—professional and wannabees like me—Dwejra offers so much inspiration.

So here’s a challenge: take your pick of the prominent rocks here.

And I’m not talking your standard lah-di-dah rocks.

You’ve got one shaped like a crocodile, another like an elephant, and another like a Fungus (yes, really). Spot the rock and take a shot.

Oh, and a curious fact about Fungus Rock—it used to house a medicinal plant known to cure ailments. It was so rare that it was once heavily guarded by the Knights of Malta.

So, if you do fancy a secretish adventure—chasing fairytales, prehistoric wonders, and €5 portal cruising among gigantic characters en route to the Mediterranean Sea—grab your camera and hop on the 311 bus from Victoria. Dwejra is just a 15-minute ride away!

P.S. Here’s a guide on: how to use public transport in Malta and Gozo to help you get  to Dwejra Inland Sea.